ἐπιστροφή (epistrophē)
epistrophē
conversion
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun epistrophē describes a decisive turning back to God, specifically referring to the conversion of Gentiles from idolatry to the worship of the true God. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 15:3, where Paul and Barnabas report to the church in Jerusalem about how God had opened the door of faith to the nations.
Derived from a verb meaning "to turn back" or "return," the word carries the sense of a complete reversal of direction. In the Septuagint, it translates Hebrew terms for repentance and return, linking the Gentile mission to Israel’s own history of returning to covenant faithfulness. This usage highlights that conversion is not merely an intellectual shift but a tangible reorientation of life toward God.
Translators typically render epistrophē as "conversion" or "turning," capturing the physical and spiritual motion involved. The term emphasizes the communal aspect of this change, as seen in Acts, where individual faith becomes part of a broader movement that strengthens the early church’s understanding of its mission.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epistrophē describes a decisive turning back to God. It is not just a change of mind, but a complete reversal of direction in life. In Acts 15:3, the early church reported this conversion of Gentiles with great joy. This shows that faith is a shared journey, not a solitary event.
When you feel drawn to God, remember that this turning is a gift. It connects your personal story to the wider body of believers. The same God who opened the door for others opens it for you today. You are part of a long line of people returning home.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- conversion1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπιστροφὴν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 15:3
They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.
This verse uniquely captures the communal joy and missionary scope of Gentile conversion in the early church.